Topsail Beach gets grant to help build park

Wednesday

Dec 11, 2013 at 9:34 PM

Development of the proposed park has been split into phases.

By Stephanie BowensBreakingnews@StarNewsOnline.com

The town of Topsail Beach has been approved to receive a state grant to help construct the proposed Topsail Beach Town Center Park.The town received a $439,910 grant from the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. The matching grants, awarded by the state Parks and Recreation Authority, are geared toward helping local governments pay for land acquisition, development and renovation of public park and recreation areas.Mayor Howard Braxton praised Frank Braxton, planning board chairman, for his efforts in getting the grant for the project. Commissioner Larry Combs also thanked Frank Braxton for his hard work. "The town of Topsail beach was very fortunate to get a grant and to get a grant in the amount that we did receive," Frank Braxton said. "It allows for a little flexibility for what we're getting ready for in the next three years. This is a grant that allows you to pick and choose, and spend your money as it's available or as you're comfortable."Development of the proposed park has been split into phases.The town plans to use money from the grant to buy land for the town center off of N.C. 50, at the corner of South Anderson Boulevard and Davis Avenue in the heart of downtown. The money also will be used to build a public restroom facility, playground, and activity area. The first phase of the proposed park is expected to be complete within three years.The town applied for the grant earlier this year to reimburse a portion of the $500,000, the cost of land acquisition. The PARTF grant will give the town $250,000 toward purchasing the land because it's a matching grant.Frank Braxton said phase two includes spending $85,000 to build a restroom.He said the value of the grant can be seen through the amount reimbursed by the state."When the land was purchased the appraised value was $585,000. The purchase price was $500,000," he said. "The state looks at that as donation of land, and that's 100 percent reimbursable. So the town spends $85,000 in the first phase to build the restrooms and the state give the town $85,000 back. It's basically a free construction of restrooms."The next phase includes $50,000 for construction of a playground and incidentals. The state will reimburse the town $25,000. Town officials said a cash donation of $20,000 was previously given toward the playground project.Braxton said when that's factored in, the town only pays $5,000 for construction of the playground and incidentals.